Good morning.

Federal prosecutors have indicted twenty-eight people in a major drug trafficking ring connecting Detroit to Parkersburg and Morgantown. The two-year federal investigation seized firearms, cash, and pounds of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine heading into north-central West Virginia.

Parkersburg City Council votes tomorrow on doubling the city’s monthly recycling surcharge to three dollars for all residents. The proposed hike comes after a circuit court judge ruled that the city’s voluntary subscription recycling program violated state law, forcing a return to mandatory curbside service.

And nearby in Marietta, state investigators are questioning nearly one-hundred-fifty-seven-thousand dollars in alleged employee vacation and holiday overpayments. Former finance officials warn the ongoing state audit could jeopardize the city’s insurance coverage and raise future borrowing costs.

For more news, download the radioNOVO app. I’m Codi Gaboff, radioNOVO News, a service of Seven Mountains Media.

 Good morning.

A major federal drug trafficking and money laundering operation linking Detroit to West Virginia has been dismantled, as reported by The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. U.S. Attorney Matt Harvey announced a one-hundred-fourteen-count indictment charging twenty-eight individuals, including residents from Morgantown and Parkersburg. The two-year investigation netted pounds of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, alongside seized firearms and over six-hundred-twenty-thousand dollars funneled through mobile payment apps.

Governor Patrick Morrisey has announced new state funding to address urgent water infrastructure needs in Wayne County, according to the Charleston News Podcast. The state is directing four million dollars toward constructing a backup water line in Crum, along with one-hundred-fifty-thousand dollars to extend the Fort Gay water system to Lavalette. State officials and West Virginia American Water are also launching an investigation into the Town of Wayne’s municipal system, which is currently losing an estimated seventy percent of its water to leaks.

The Bluefield State University Board of Governors convened an emergency closed-door meeting citing concerns of imminent substantial harm to the institution, according to WV MetroNews. University President Darrin Martin’s office reported that administration was not given specific details ahead of the session, which was listed on the Secretary of State's open meetings registry. No public decisions were announced following the executive session.

In commercial aviation news, Breeze Airways is preparing to pause its nonstop service between Charleston's Yeager Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport early next year, as reported by Simple Flying. Airport officials note the flight suspension, effective after January third, twenty-twenty-seven, represents a seasonal schedule adjustment for the airline, though no official restart date has been established for the route.

In Boone County, WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals has partnered with Van High School to supply dedicated athletic training services for the Bulldogs football program, resolving a staffing shortage that previously delayed team practices. Meanwhile, in the Northern Panhandle, Follansbee residents face an upcoming municipal rate increase, with monthly residential garbage fees rising to twenty-six dollars starting September first.

For more news, download the radioNOVO app. I’m Codi Gaboff, radioNOVO News, a service of Seven Mountains Media. 

radioNOVO News for Lebanon: August 21, 2026

RNN SELINSGROVE 08/21/26

          ATTORNEYS IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY ARE CLASHING OVER GANG-RELATED EVIDENCE IN AN UPCOMING MURDER TRIAL. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR ACCUSED KILLER DENARII SPRINGS IS ASKING JUDGE MICHAEL TOOMEY TO BLOCK PROSECUTORS FROM PRESENTING ALLEGATIONS OF AN ONGOING GANG FEUD. SPRINGS IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING DAYVEON CREEL OUTSIDE THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN 2024. JUDGE TOOMEY EXPECTS TO RULE ON THE EVIDENCE IN THE COMING DAYS.

          ALL WARRIOR RUN SCHOOL DISTRICT BUILDINGS ARE CLEARED TO OPEN ON TIME THIS MONDAY FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL INSPECTIONS. DISTRICT OFFICIALS NOTIFIED PARENTS YESTERDAY THAT NEWLY RENOVATED SPACES AT THE JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ARE APPROVED FOR THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES. 
          SCHOOL LEADERS SAY THEY REMAIN HOPEFUL THE FINAL ADDITION WILL RECEIVE APPROVAL WITHIN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.

          A FORMER BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATOR IS SUING COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY FOLLOWING HIS TERMINATION. EDWARD KELLER CLAIMS HE WAS WRONGFULLY FIRED TWO YEARS AGO AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT SOFTWARE ISSUES DURING THE UNIVERSITY MERGER, AS WELL AS ALLEGED MISUSE OF STUDENT TECH FEES. KELLER IS SEEKING MORE THAN 75-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGES.

RNN JOHNSTOWN 08/21/26

          JOHNSTOWN POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A WEDNESDAY NIGHT SHOOTING AFTER FINDING SHELL CASINGS ON HIGHLAND AND DUPONT STREET. OFFICERS LATER LOCATED AN 18-YEAR OLD MALE VICTIM AT THE HOSPITAL WITH A MINOR BULLET GRAZE TO THE HEAD. POLICE SAY THE YOUNG MAN REFUSED TO COOPERATE WITH INVESTIGATORS. THE INVESTIGATION REMAINS ONGOING AS DETECTIVES REVIEW NEARBY SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE.

          AN INMATE AT F-C-I LORETTO HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO AN ADDITIONAL YEAR IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR POSSESSING A WEAPON BEHIND BARS. 53-YEAR-OLD FEDERICO RIVERA WAS HANDED THE CONSECUTIVE TWELVE-MONTH SENTENCE IN JOHNSTOWN FEDERAL COURT THURSDAY AFTER BEING CAUGHT WITH A HOMEMADE WEAPON LAST NOVEMBER. RIVERA IS ALREADY SERVING TIME FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING AND FEDERAL VIOLENT CRIME CONVICTIONS.

          THE GREATER JOHNSTOWN WATER AUTHORITY ENDED ITS FISCAL YEAR WITH NEARLY SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS IN PROFIT, SPARKING DEBATE OVER FUTURE RATE HIKES. AT A MEETING THURSDAY, TWO BOARD MEMBERS CALLED TO PAUSE PLANNED ANNUAL FOUR PERCENT RATE INCREASES. HOWEVER, AUTHORITY LEADERSHIP CITED MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR DAM RENOVATION PROJECTS AS THE REASON TO KEEP THE REVENUE COMING.

RNN ALTOONA 08/21/26

          AN ALTOONA MAN WAS SENTENCED TO SEVEN-AND-A-HALF TO 20 YEARS IN STATE PRISON THURSDAY AFTER KIDNAPPING HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND AT GUNPOINT. 23-YEAR-OLD LANDON FAGAN WAS FOUND GUILTY OF FELONY KIDNAPPING AND MULTIPLE ASSAULT CHARGES FOLLOWING THE MAY 2025 INCIDENT. A BLAIR COUNTY JUDGE ALSO ORDERED FAGAN TO PAY OVER SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN FINES AND RESTITUTION.

          MEANTIME, THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPERIOR COURT HAS UPHELD A 17 TO 50 YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR A TYRONE MAN CONVICTED OF TRADING MARIJUANA FOR SEXUAL FAVORS FROM EIGHT TEENAGE GIRLS. 28-YEAR-OLD PAUL HOLPIT CHALLENGED HIS CONVICTION, BUT AN APPEALS PANEL RULED THERE WAS AMPLE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT HIS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SEXUAL ABUSE CHARGES.

          WITH THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR APPROACHING, THE SPRING COVE SCHOOL BOARD IS STILL SEARCHING FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT. THE POSITION HAS BEEN VACANT SINCE BESTY BARKER RETIRED IN JUNE......... LEAVING THE BUSINESS MANAGER AS ACTING SUPERINTENDENT. THE BOARD ALSO APPOINTED FORMER PRINCIPAL STEPHANIE THOMPSON TO A TEMPORARY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION POSITION, AS THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINS AUGUST 26TH.  

RNN STROUDSBURG 08/21/26

          POLICE IN EAST STROUDSBURG HAVE ISSUED AN ARREST WARRANT FOR 22-YEAR-OLD MAN FOLLOWING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE JULY 24TH.              
          AUTHORITIES SAY NATHANIEL BASHIR MILLER FORCED HIS WAY INTO A HOME IN THE 3200 BLOCK OF NORTH 5TH STREET AFTER BEING ASKED TO LEAVE....... ALLEGEDLY BREAKING THE DOOR LOCK IN THE PROCESS. MILLER FACES CHARGES OF CRIMINAL TRESPASS AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF.

          FORMER SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SEBASTIAN JOSEPH-DAY IS RETURNING TO HIS PENNSYLVANIA ROOTS AFTER SIGNING AN ELEVEN-MILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT WITH THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS. THE STROUDSBURG AND RUTGERS ALUM SAYS HE IS EXCITED TO BE CLOSER TO HOME AND GIVE BACK TO HIS LOCAL COMMUNITY. JOSEPH-DAY RECENTLY HOSTED A YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP IN STROUDSBURG, DONATING SEVEN-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE LOCAL YOUTH FOOTBALL PROGRAM WHILE PREPARING FOR HIS FIRST SEASON IN THE STEEL CITY.

           NEWS BROUGHT TO YOU BY "WE FIGHT FENTANYL."  
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          LAURA LEBEAU, RADIO NOVO NEWS. 

RNN LEWISTOWN 08/21/26

          WITH MIFFLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS BACK IN SESSION AUGUST 31ST, THE DISTRICT IS WELCOMING SEVERAL FRESH FACES TO THE CLASSROOM.
          AT A SPECIAL VOTING MEETING THURSDAY, THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICIALLY APPROVED THE HIRING OF SIX NEW TEACHERS. THE NEW EDUCATORS WILL FILL ESSENTIAL ROLES IN MATH, ENGLISH, COMPUTER INSTRUCTION, AND AUTISTIC SUPPORT ACROSS MULTIPLE DISTRICT BUILDINGS.
          ALL SIX TEACHERS WILL OFFICIALLY BEGIN THEIR DUTIES ON AUGUST 26TH.

          MEANTIME, THE JUNIATA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD IS HOPING TO END A WAVE OF LEADERSHIP TURNOVER AT EAST JUNIATA HIGH SCHOOL. LAST NIGHT, THE BOARD HIRED AMY SHERMAN AS THE SCHOOL'S NEW PRINCIPAL AT A SALARY OF 112-THOUSAND DOLLARS. SHERMAN STEPS INTO THE ROLE AFTER SERVING SEVEN YEARS AS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT JUNIATA ELEMENTARY. SCHOOL OFFICIALS HOPE HER DEEP ROOTS AND FAMILIARITY WITH THE DISTRICT WILL BRING MUCH-NEEDED STABILITY FOLLOWING A REVOLVING DOOR OF ADMINISTRATORS SINCE MID-2024.

          STATE POLICE IN LEWISTOWN ARE LOOKING INTO A RECENT CASE OF FAKE CASH. INVESTIGATORS SAY SOMEONE USED A COUNTERFEIT 100-DOLLAR BILL AT THE ONVO TRAVEL PLAZA IN FERMANAGH TOWNSHIP LATE LAST MONTH. THE THEFT BY DECEPTION INVESTIGATION REMAINS ONGOING.

RNN STATE COLLEGE 08/21/26

          UNIONIZED HEALTHCARE WORKERS RALLIED IN DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE EARLY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON........... TO GARNER SUPPORT FROM RETURNING PENN STATE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS.............. AS THEIR ONGOING CONTRACT DISPUTE WITH MOUNT NITTANY HEALTH DRAGS ON.  
          WORKERS REPRESENTED BY S-E-I-U HEALTHCARE PENNSYLVANIA GATHERED AT THE ALLEN STREET GATES FROM 11:30AM TO 2PM TO PETITION FOR HIGHER WAGES. THE UNION PLANS TO RALLY AGAIN TODAY.  
          THE DEMONSTRATION COMES AFTER HOSPITAL EXECUTIVES LOWERED THEIR PAY RAISE OFFER TO TWO PERCENT ANNUALLY FOLLOWING A FIVE-DAY STRIKE LAST MONTH.  

          A CENTRE COUNTY MAN WILL SPEND AT LEAST TEN YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL. TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD HUNTER HENNEY OF WALKER TOWNSHIP WAS SENTENCED THURSDAY TO TEN TO TWENTY YEARS IN PRISON, PLUS TEN YEARS OF PROBATION. HENNEY PLEADED GUILTY IN MAY AFTER STATE POLICE TRACED EXPLICIT IMAGES SHARED ON INSTAGRAM AND SNAPCHAT BACK TO HIM.

RNN FRANKFORT 08/21/26

          DRIVERS ON INTERSTATE 64 IN FRANKLIN COUNTY SHOULD PREPARE FOR OVERNIGHT DELAYS STARTING TONIGHT.  THE KENTUCKY TRANSPORTATION CABINET SAYS ALTERNATING LANE CLOSURES WILL RUN BETWEEN THE FRANKFORT EXITS FROM 7 P.M. TO 6 A.M. THROUGH AUGUST 28TH. CREWS WILL BE INSTALLING PAVEMENT MARKERS AND RUMBLE STRIPS, SO PLAN EXTRA TRAVEL TIME THROUGH THE AREA.

          A LOUISVILLE MAN PLED NOT GUILTY THURSDAY, AFTER ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING A POLICE LICENSE PLATE CAMERA IN RIVERVIEW PARK IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS LAST SATURDAY. 
          35-YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER EMBRY FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES AFTER OFFICERS SAY HE SHOT THE CAMERA NEAR PARK VISITORS AND DEPUTIES. INVESTIGATORS LATER FOUND FIVE STOLEN AND DAMAGED CAMERA SYSTEMS INSIDE EMBRY'S HOME. HIS BOND IS SET AT 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

          AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY AFTER A HORSE WAS ELECTROCUTED ON THE KENTUCKY EXPOSITION CENTER GROUNDS. AUTHORITIES SAY FIVE-YEAR-OLD SADDLEBRED "MR. SPOTS" DIED WEDNESDAY AFTER STEPPING ON AN ENERGIZED METAL BAR. NEARBY ANIMALS WERE SAFELY EVACUATED. THE TRAGEDY COMES AS THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR KICKED OFF YESTERDAY, RUNNING THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH.